You're reading: Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry blame Kremlin-backed insurgents for violating peace plan

Editor's Note: The following is a joint statement released on June 22 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry.

As an expression of firm intention to protect the lives of people and security of the State, President of Ukraine – Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko started implementing the peace plan aimed at settlement of the situation in some areas of Ukraine’s eastern regions.

The President’s order on unilateral ceasefire, given to the Armed
Forces, National Guard, border guards and units of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs of Ukraine, has become the first step in this
direction.

Ukraine is committed to strictly follow a peace-building path.

The stance of the Ukrainian President has gained unanimous support of the international community.

In response to the peace restoring initiative, the gunmen and
terrorists launched continued armed attacks, blatantly violating the
truce.

Throughout just one night on June 22, the illegal armed groups opened
fire eleven times at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near
Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Artemivsk and other cities. During the day gunmen
undertook consequent armed and mortar attacks on Ukrainian border
guards near Chervonopartyzansk, Biriukovo and Nozdrivka in Lugansk
region. Provocations continue.

Gunmen’s assaults aimed at escalating the situation require strong and immediate international condemnation.

Ukraine calls on all international partners to support our sustained
efforts to restore peace and unconditional implementation of the Geneva
declaration of 17 April by its all Sides.

Our principal demand is addressed to Russia. Our country, along with
the international community, urges the Russian Federation to truly and
efficiently support the Ukrainian President’s peace plan. Russia is
expected to ensure sufficient protection of border from terrorists, as
well as unconditionally use its absolute impact on illegal terrorist
groups in the east of Ukraine to make them immediately ceasefire and lay
down their weapons. Any further encouragements for terrorists will have
critical consequences.